CONVERGENCE IN AGROBIOLOGICS & CARBON REGENERATION TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

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1 CONVERGENCE IN AGROBIOLOGICS & CARBON REGENERATION TO INFINITY AND BEYOND Husbandry is the name of all practices that sustain life by connecting us to our world; it is the art of keeping tied all the strands in the living network that sustains us. And so, it appears that most of agriculture's failures are the result of an attempt to make the land produce without husbandry. Wendell Berry Enlightened Perspective in Agronomics Developing opportunities with Mother Earth may represent the most significant breakthrough to a competitive revolution in farm profitability. A veritable metropolis of life forms and structure exists beneath the surface of the soil. For centuries, farmers have paid little to no attention to this powerful dynamic. In high-fixed cost farm environments, increasing incremental crop performance can dramatically improve profit margins versus a focus on cost reductions and operational efficiencies. Leveraging the biology, chemistry and architecture of the soil is likely the new frontier for opportunity in optimal farming and profitability. Science based prescriptions for soil structure, chemistry and biology can make it possible to realize large-percentage increases in crop yields. In a highly competitive farming world this may not only be the difference between life or death for the farm operation, it is most assuredly a solution to greatly enhanced profitability. The farmer who grasps this enlightened focus stands to realize a substantial competitive advantage in this highly competitive world. Elements of Soil Structure Soil structure affects how water and air move through the soil. The aerobic nature of the soil is a major factor in the microbiological function and ultimately greatly enhances plant performance and crop yield advantage. Ideal soil structure is uniform and porous thereby maximizing the surface area and surface tension. Pores exist between the soil particles; macro-pores retain the air molecules and micro-pores contain the moisture. Abundant micro-pore structure secures the

2 vital nutrients needed by the plants. The micro-pore structure is where the tiny root hairs form which enable the plant to readily access moisture and nutrients. Ideal soil structure is made up of 50% particles, including about 5% organic matter, 25% moisture, and 25% oxygen. The greatest inhibitors of plant performance are compaction and salt. Compaction greatly diminishes the surface area and collapses the pore structure. Porous soils greatly enhance the performance of bacteria, fungi and other micro-organisms. Elements of Soil Chemistry The chemistry of the water is what takes the soil to its compacted state. A change to the chemistry can greatly enhance the openness of the soils. Significant reduction in deep tillage costs can be realized by properly managing soil chemistry. Soil and water amendments can be applied to create free/soluble calcium resulting in a flocculation of the colloids. This floccing is an essential part of a prescriptive solution for proper soil architecture; a critical step in achieving crop yield increases. Soil chemistry is affected by mineral composition, organic matter (living and dead organisms), water, temperature and other environmental factors. Biogeochemical processes are categorized into three categories. Biochemical processes such as photosynthesis, decomposition and mineralization Soil biochemistry deals with the formation and decomposition of soil organic matter, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and metals. Although the organic portion of the soil only accounts for 5% of total soil volume; it serves as the storehouse for nutrients that affect both plant and microbial growth. It is the major source of energy for all of the microorganisms. Great advantage can be made by the farmer in paying strict attention to the biochemistry. Shifts in this area can have either hugely beneficial or largely detrimental impact on the performance of the soil. Geochemical processes such as cation exchange and chemical adsorption The geochemistry of the soil plays a major role in viability of the microbial structure. The

3 storage and releasing of carbons in the soil is a significant part of the soil geochemistry. Proper management in this area can greatly improve the exchange of nutrients and micronutrients in the soil. Soils vary greatly from place to place. If the proper chemistry is not understood the soil will often perform at a level far below its potential to improve performance in crop yields. Chemical reactions such as hydrolysis and transfer of CO2 Hydrolysis involves the breaking down of molecules in the soil by adding water. Nutrients in the soil can be bound up in chemical bonds; the addition of water unbinds molecules and makes them available for moisture and nutrient uptake. Carbon dioxide exerts significant influence on the biological and chemical systems in the soil. Concentrations of carbon dioxide result in the production of carbonic acid which has the effect of lowering soil PH. This is just one example of the importance of the CO2 transport mechanism in the soils. Plants depend on what is in solution in the soil. The breaking down of mineral and organic compounds in the soil is a complex process. The breakdown involves physical fragmentation as well as chemical alteration. This breakdown is largely a function of the microorganisms, micro arthropods, ants, beetles, earthworms etc. Eventually everything is reduced to mineralized nutrients that can be utilized by the plants. Maintaining a healthy biological structure in the soil is paramount to achieving optimal plant performance. Elements of Soil Biology Soil biology involves the microbes, fauna, biota; essentially all of the organisms that exist within the soil profile. All of the creatures in the soil are a critical part of soil ecology. They have a dramatic effect on moisture transfer, pest and disease control; they are central to nutrient cycling and decomposition. A metropolis of a biological nature persists below the surface of earth. It can be very easy to overlook the performance and proper maintenance of this biological structure. The care and keeping of the soil biology is a major point of leverage in plant performance.

4 Healthy Bacteria Beneath the surface of the soil there is a food chain where bacteria are consumed by other bacteria and other organisms. This activity by the bacteria and the entire Food Soil Web serves to breakdown plant matter such that it becomes bioavailable to the plants. Additionally, the bacteria convert various forms of nutrients into bio-available nitrogen so that plants can thrive. Compaction in the soil is a major detractor to the performance of the bacteria because the surface area available, lack of oxygen, lack of adequate soil moisture, and the quality of habitation is dramatically reduced when compaction is present. Fungi the breakdown of heavy plant matter such as roots and heavy cellulose is one of the critical functions of the fungi. In addition, the fungi actually establish a labyrinth of fine hair strands called hyphae, like a secondary root system, extending far beyond the actual root structure of the plant. This dramatically improves the ability of the plant to find and uptake moisture and nutrients that would not otherwise be available to the plant. Compaction in the soil is a major deterrent to the effectiveness of fungi. Carbon Problem or Solution Carbon is a major part of the fundamental structure of planet earth. All living things are made up of carbon. Proteins, fats, carbohydrates are made up of carbon. Root systems and humus in the soil are made up of carbon. Carbon is perhaps the most essential element in the world for plants as well as animals. Carbon circulates through our existence without any conscious thought on our part. The amount of carbon on the earth has not changed (except for a few meteorites hitting the earth) since the inception of the planet. Carbon makes up a significant part of the underground world. Carbon exists in geologic formations. The sludge on the ocean floor is a major store of carbon that supports the oceans eco-system. Large stores of carbon exist in the form of humus.

5 In the recent years, there has been considerable discussion about the destructive role of CO2 and the effect of greenhouse gases in the change of climates. There is another side to the argument that is largely misunderstood. Even the discussions around Carbon Farming miss some of the most significant points. The role of carbon, and its circulation in the biological process, is referred to as the carbon cycle. As it relates to the carbon cycle, perhaps the greatest downfall in the past century has been the massive depletion of humus in the soil. Farming practices have ignored humus building techniques in exchange for commercial fertilization. It stands to reason then, that among the strongest possible solutions to the balance in the carbon cycle should be the discussion of adding significant amounts of humus back to the soil. This would not only be good for the balance in the carbon cycle and the concern over greenhouse gases, it CAN also be very favorable to the farmers. Farmers, in particular, stand to realize significant gains in profit margin through the production of more vibrant and healthy plants. The argument therefore, is not so much with harmful CO2 as it is with effective means for carbon regeneration. Increasing Humus in soil could be a significant factor and a huge step forward in resolving the carbon discussion. As plants grow they accumulate carbon within the woody fibers of the plant s structure. In the case of trees, this carbon is sequestered for long periods of time. Trees remain a significant part of the balance of carbon within the carbon cycle. When trees and other plants die the rotting of the woody fiber produces CO2. This CO2 is captured by the plants that grow above the decomposing matter in the soil. Plants then have access to CO2 from the atmosphere and CO2 emanating from the soil. A healthy plant is capable of producing as much weight in biomatter below the ground as it does the weight in foliage above the ground. Healthy plants grow even faster with higher CO2 levels and this, in turn, increases their ability to consume even more CO2. This represents a significant opportunity and contribution to the balance in the carbon cycle. There remain significant and underdeveloped means of putting large amounts of carbon back into the soil. Restoring humus is a powerful part of restoring the biological process and the balance in the carbon cycle. The depletion of humus in the soils has dramatically altered mother nature s self-regulating capability; the ability to store large amounts of carbon.

6 Biological Carbon Cycle Photosynthesis is mother nature s way of converting atmospheric CO2 into plant sugars that feed the plants. At the same time, photosynthesis is responsible for the release of oxygen by the plants back into the atmosphere. The process of photosynthesis not only increases the foliage that we witness above the ground but also stimulates substantial growth of the root systems. Approximately ½ of the dry matter of roots in the ground is made up of carbon. As the plants die the bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms convert the dead plant matter into humus. Humus is carbon rich and is an important component in the soil structure. The existence of humus adds light spongy structure which keeps the soil loose and greatly adds to the aerobic properties of the soil. The microbiology in the soils thrives in aerobic conditions. Humus is capable of retaining up to 400 times its weight in moisture. Humus is the major source of food for the microorganisms that create the sugars and nutrients that plants absorb through the root system. These microorganisms consume oxygen in the soil and release CO2. This release of CO2 by the microorganisms is significant source of food for healthy plants. Perhaps the greatest function of humus is its ability to store nutrients in the soil. Humus stores can persist in soils for extended periods of time. The existence of humus in the soil has no detrimental effects. It stores both acidic and alkaline nutrients for the future growth and development of healthy plants. The more humus there is in the soil the better the balance in the carbon cycle and the plant systems ability to perform its natural function. Carbon Farming Significant efforts have been focused on farming practices to reduce carbon emissions. Traditional farming and poor land management practices have been tagged as major culprits in the creation of greenhouse gases. When dirt mixes with air (dust), significant amounts of carbon are released to the atmosphere as CO2 (carbon + oxygen = CO2). It stands to reason then that reducing the creation of dust could significantly alter the profile of CO2 emissions. One of the strongest arguments for dust suppression is reflected in the No-Till philosophy.

7 No-Till Farming No-Till farming has some distinct advantages including the dramatic reduction in tillage costs that can reduce the overall cost of farming and enhance profit margins. Another argument for No-Till is that there is less dust created (carbon + oxygen = CO2) and therefore far less CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. On the face of these arguments one could conclude that this prescription should be made universal to all farming practices. There are two fundamental problems that can exist when the soil is not tilled. When plant matter is left on the surface of the soil it can encourage the spawning of unhealthy molds and spores. These molds and spores have a very detrimental effect on healthy microbiology. Healthy microbiology is the single largest contributor to healthy plants. Compacted soils are devoid of oxygen and the pore structure that is necessary for healthy microbiology. Where soils freeze and thaw there is a natural fracturing that leaves the soils viable for healthy microbiology. In areas where soils do not freeze and thaw the detrimental effect of compacted soil can retain salts and dramatically inhibit the microbiological function. Perennial Crops Perennial plants reduce the amount of dust in the farming process since tillage is greatly reduced. Another advantage to perennial crops is that carbon is sequestered from the atmosphere and stored in the fibrous foliage and the root systems. Carbon taken from the atmosphere and stored in the plant structure no longer contributes to the greenhouse effect. Organic Mulching Scattering wood chips and straw to cover the bare ground can slow the process of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Any significant amount of mulch on top of the soil will invite the microbiology to break down the bio-matter and therefore make it available to the plants. Mulching can spawn unhealthy molds and spores that can be detrimental to optimal plant performance.

8 Composting Compost is a rich and stable source of carbon that can be added to the soil for long-term carbon storage. Spreading of compost on the surface of the soil can add value but the downside is that much of the bio-matter is destroyed by Ultra-Violet rays. The Marin study found that spreading ½ inch of compost to rangelands increased forage production from 40% to 70% and dramatically improved the soils ability to retain moisture. Compost that is incorporated into the soil has a much greater and lasting effect on plant performance as well as the soil s ability to store carbon for future use. The argument then exists between the net effective use of compost on top of the ground vs. compost that is incorporated into the soil. Not all compost is created equal. Proper composting can greatly add to the bioavailability of nutrients. Stacking plant residue in a pile and letting it decompose may not necessarily create the proper fragmentation and chemical alteration to make nutrients bioavailable to the plants. Livestock Migration The concept here is that responsible migrating of grazing animals will help reduce over-grazing of range land and pastures. The monitored migration can preserve the canopy of the plants. Properly grazed land enables plants to continue the healthy capture CO2. Additionally, manure from the grazing animals is a significant source of carbon that readily converts to bio-matter and is easily absorbed by the soils and contributes to healthy soil ecology and enhanced plant performance. Cover Crops Cover crops can be beneficial in several ways. A cover crop will greatly reduce soil erosion which is a major contributor to carbon depletion and release of CO2 into the atmosphere. Cover crops preserve the canopy of plants which in turn improves the absorption of CO2 from the atmosphere. Perhaps the greatest advantage of cover crops is that they perpetuate the biological process in the soil that continues to feeding and nurture healthy soil microbiology.

9 Carbon Regeneration Most of the proposed current solution to the negative effects of greenhouse gases and CO2 has to do with imposing significant reductions in the consumption of fossil fuels. There are huge economic costs associated with this curtailment. The economic impact on society, as we know it, could be devastating. Huge sums of money are being invested in alternative forms of energy production and consumption. Many of these alternative forms of energy have their own set of detrimental issues. Most of the climate change disciples believe that there is no other way. Very little suggestion has been made regarding the potentially powerful focus on options for carbon regeneration. If the same amount of carbon exists now as it always has, and the problem is with the current structure of that carbon, then doesn t it make sense that a change in carbon structure, from gas to solid, is a viable argument? A legitimate counter argument to the current curtailment of fossil fuel consumption should hope to identify effective means of drawing carbon gases from the atmosphere and sequestering them within plants and in storable structure beneath the earth s surface. The following chapter will reveal significant advancements in carbon sequestration and CO2 consumptions that represents a win-win for all concerned. Cost effective carbon regeneration can be highly beneficial in the world of agriculture. As was pointed out earlier in this paper, stimulating crop yield increases and optimal plant performance may be the next best frontier for profitability and sustainability within the world of agriculture.